BASILDON Council has confirmed it will change how it collects rubbish from local residents, moving to reusable sacks for recycling and wheelie bins for general waste.

Members of Basildon Borough Council said changing from the current pink and black sacks would aid its recycling and climate change ambitions and save money.

Residents will be given two reusable bin bags by the council, one for paper and card materials and the other for plastics and cans.

Cabinet member for environment and carbon reduction Kevin Blake (Con, Burstead) said at a meeting on December 6 the council produces 10 million single-use plastic bin bags a year under the old strategy.

He said: "Black sacks contribute to an increase in fly-tipping. Ripped open sacks cause a significant health and litter problem, leading to vermin issues."

The council has committed to increasing its recycling rate from 46 per cent currently to 65 per cent by 2035 and to achieving net zero by 2030.

Residents were consulted over the proposed changes, with 5,655 people responding to the council's survey. 

According to a report, 68 per cent supported or strongly supported introducing a wheelie bin for residual waste collections. 

38 per cent supported or strongly supported a reusable sack for paper and card, while 35 per cent supported or strongly supported it for plastics and cans.

Cabinet Member for Regeneration Craig Rimmer (Con, Pitsea South East) said: "Residents in Basildon do want to recycle more and we've just got to take away the friction and allow them to do that and make it easier. But also, we do have to penalise the people who do not care."

Opposition leader Councillor Maryam Yaqub (Labour, St Martin's) said: "I think this is definitely the right thing to do, given that we have the highest waste per household across Essex and a recycling rate of 46 per cent."

The council will also be introducing a charge for bulky waste collections. 89 per cent of residents surveyed supported or strongly supported free special waste collections. 

Cllr Yaqub asked if some of the savings from the new strategy could be put towards removing the charge. 

Cllr Blake said people are likely to vote for a free service over a paid one, but the cross party working group could investigate this option.

An implementation plan will now be put together by officers, and brought back to the cabinet at a future meeting before the new changes can start.